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HatchbackSince 1974NHTSA rated

Volkswagen Golf

The definitive C-segment hatchback for nearly 50 years. From the humble base petrol to the Golf R hyper-hatch, there's a Golf for every driver.

Quick Facts & Specification Overview: The Volkswagen Golf is a hatchback featuring powertrains delivering from 125 to 320 horsepower, achieving up to 54 MPG combined on official EPA ratings. Engineered with FWD and AWD drivetrain systems across 2 generations, the model holds a Not Rated-star NHTSA safety rating and 2 active NHTSA safety recall campaigns.

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Official Volkswagen Golf 2020 exterior styling, aerodynamic profile, and vehicle dimensions
Verified Press Vehicle
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback2020 Spec

Years

1974 - present

Power

125 - 320 hp

Best MPG

54 MPG

NHTSA

Not Rated★ overall

2020 Recalls

2 campaigns

Complaints

6 filed

01At a glance

Volkswagen Golf by the numbers

TopicVolkswagen GolfDetail
Power range125 - 320 hp7 powertrains verified
EPA fuel economy28 - 54 MPGCombined cycle, best trim
Safety ratingNot Rated★ overall (2026)Frontal Not Rated★ · Side Not Rated★ · Rollover Not Rated★
Recalls (2020)2Open NHTSA safety campaigns
Complaints (2020)6ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Fuel typesPetrol, DieselFWD, AWD drivetrains
Generations indexed2Each with full spec sheet
Dimensions (latest)4284 x 1789 x 1456 mmL x W x H, 2636 mm wheelbase

02Crash protection

Volkswagen Golf NHTSA safety ratings

YearOverallFrontalSideRolloverRecalls
2026NRNRNRNR0
2026NRNRNRNR0
2025NRNRNRNR0
2025NRNRNRNR0
2024NRNRNRNR0
2024NRNRNRNR0
2023NRNRNRNR0
2023NRNRNRNR0
2022NRNRNRNR0
2022NRNRNRNR0

Source: NHTSA Safercar_data.csv, official 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Recall counts from NHTSA Recall API. Official NHTSA ratings

03Active safety

2020 Volkswagen Golf open recalls

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

22V815000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Fix: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

24V110000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Fix: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

05Pick your year

Volkswagen Golf generations

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05Generation comparison matrix

Compare all Volkswagen Golf generations

SpecificationGolf Mk82020 – present (CD)Golf Mk72012 – 2020 (5G)
Power Output150 – 320 hp125 – 300 hp
EPA Fuel EconomyUp to 54 MPG combinedUp to 47 MPG combined
Quickest 0–100 km/h4.7s4.9s
Exterior Dimensions4284 × 1789 × 1456 mm4255 × 1790 × 1452 mm
Wheelbase2636 mm2637 mm
Powertrains Verified4 trims3 trims
Full SpecsView spec sheet View spec sheet

Smart Value & Budget Pick

Golf Mk7

Ideal for used-car shoppers seeking reliable transportation with lower acquisition costs, proven naturally aspirated engines, and mature parts availability.

Explore Golf Mk7specs →

Technology & Modern Pick

Golf Mk8

Best for drivers wanting contemporary safety tech, digital cockpits, peak horsepower ratings, and the latest aerodynamic styling.

Explore Golf Mk8specs →

06Answers

Volkswagen Golf: what buyers ask

How many recalls does the Volkswagen Golf have?

The 2020 Volkswagen Golf has 2 open NHTSA recall campaigns. Always verify by your exact VIN, because recall coverage varies by production run.

What MPG does the Volkswagen Golf get?

Across verified powertrains, the Golf achieves 28 to 54 MPG combined (EPA cycle).

How much horsepower does the Volkswagen Golf have?

Power ranges from 125 hp to 320 hp across 7 verified powertrains, spanning Petrol, Diesel fuel types.

Is the Volkswagen Golf safe?

The 2026 Golf earned a Not Rated-star overall NHTSA rating (frontal Not Rated, side Not Rated, rollover Not Rated). It has earned 5 stars in 2 tested model years.

What are common Volkswagen Golf problems?

NHTSA has 6 owner complaints on file for the 2020 model year, most frequently involving ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

How many generations does the Volkswagen Golf have?

We index 2 verified generations with full powertrain specification sheets, spanning production from 1974 to the present.

Sources for this page

Figures on this page are compiled from the sources above and cross-checked against manufacturer data sheets. US-market EPA cycle where noted; European WLTP values are measured differently and are not directly comparable.

Check a specific Golf

Model-level data is a starting point, not a guarantee for your vehicle. Decode the exact VIN to confirm year, trim, engine, assembly plant and any open recalls that apply to that specific production run.

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